The Mighty Penguins feature children with disabilities from all over the greater Pittsburgh area. The program is designed to give disabled youth the opportunity to compete as well as a self-esteem boost and has four levels: novice, intermediate, junior and senior. Thirty-five players participated in the once-in-a-lifetime experience.

“These guys love hockey, and to see their heroes come out and get on some sleds with them and have Fleury standing up and shooting with them and dangling is really a cool experience for these guys,” said Michele Humphreys, president of the Mighty Penguins.

Kunitz wasn’t the only Olympian on the ice that afternoon. Dan McCoy, Olympic sled hockey gold medalist with Team USA, also skated at the event. They shared stories about their experiences in Sochi, Russia during the 2014 Winter Games.

“We talked about that, about the conditions and everything if anything was different (for us),” McCoy, a Pittsburgh native said.

“It was really warm both times we were there and it didn’t really feel like the Olympics or Paralympics when we were there. We were joking about that and just kind of reminiscing about the whole experience.”

The two even share No. 14, although McCoy, who is diagnosed with spina bifida, claims it was on accident.